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Determination in Scripture

The Character of God• God is determined to seek and rescue the lost.

(See Luke 15:4–10.)

• God accomplishes everything He purposes to do. (See Isaiah 46:11.)

• Jesus was determined to do His Father’s will even though it meant that He would suffer. (See Luke 9:51; 18:31–33.)

• Accomplishing God’s goals required overcom-ing temptation. (See Luke 4:3–13, Hebrews 4:15.)

Key ConceptsThere will be opposition to the goals God gives us. There will be the inner fight against our natural tendencies such as laziness, fear, and pride. There will also be outward opposition from circumstances and opposing ideas. God’s work in the lives of the following people gives us insight on how to be overcomers.

1. Determined people do not give up. Shammah, one of David’s mighty men, did not flee in the face of opposition and saw God accomplish a great victory. (See II Samuel 23:11–12.) What enormous obstacles of weather and weapons did Benaiah overcome? (See II Samuel 23:20–21.)

2. Determination may involve earnest prayer and fasting. For Esther to do the task God had for her, she fasted and prayed before risking her life by going before the king. (See Esther 4:16.) Jesus explained how some demons can be cast out only by prayer and fasting. (See Mark 9:25–29.)

3. Determination often requires risk and sacri-fice. David understood that the three mighty men had put their lives in danger to break through the Philistine army and bring him water from the well of Bethlehem. (See I Chronicles 11:17–19.)

4. Determination results from strong confi-dence in God. A woman spent all her living trying to overcome health challenges. Nothing had worked but she was confident that Jesus could heal her. This faith gave her the determi-nation to press through the multitude to touch the hem of His garment, and she found immedi-ate healing. (See Luke 8:43–48.)

5. Determination comes from seeing obstacles from God’s perspective. Our perspectives are prone to distortion. The Apostle Paul tells us to view obstacles and losses as insignificant in comparison to being found in Christ: knowing Him, His power, and the fellowship of His suf-ferings. (See Philippians 3:8–10, II Corinthians 4:8–10, and II Corinthians 11:23–30.)

Determination in My Life• Isaiah 40:31—What is the key to having strength

and overcoming weariness?

• Proverbs 28:13—Is there sin in your life that is pre-venting you from accomplishing God’s goals for your life?

• Matthew 6:33—Is seeking the kingdom of God and His righteousness your highest priority? What obstacles challenge this goal?

• Galatians 6:9—What motivates you to not grow weary in well-doing?

• Philippians 4:13—Are you relying on Christ for the strength to reach the goals He has for you?

• I Corinthians 9:24–27—What does it take to “run life’s race” with determination?

• I Corinthians 10:13—Jesus makes it possible to overcome temptation. How can you live in that victory?

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Determination Memory Verse

II Timothy 4:7–8a“I have fought a good fight,

I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me

a crown of righteousness. . . .”

Memory Verse Game: Disappearing LettersWrite the verse on the board. Have the children read the verse together several times. Select someone to erase all but the first letter in any three words on the whiteboard. Read the verse together again. When you get to the words only represented by the first letter, see if the children can remember what those words are and still say them. Choose another child to erase three more words, leaving only the initials. Repeat this pattern until only the initials remain and the children can recite the verse from memory.

Doers of the WordHave the children write about a time they were able to apply this verse in their lives. For example: “My math assignment was confusing and difficult, and I felt like giving up. The Lord brought this verse to mind and reminded me that God is pleased when I work hard to finish my work. Instead of quitting, I reread the instructions in the textbook and asked for help. Now I understand how to do this type of math problem.”

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Determination in the Lives of of Aaron, Hur, and Moses

1. What roles did Moses, Joshua, and the men have in fighting the battle? “And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: tomorrow I will stand on top the hill with the rod of God in mine hand” (Exodus 17:9). What challeng-ing goals has God given you?

2. List as many ways that you can think of that Moses used the “rod of God.” “Thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go. Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink  .  .  .” (Exodus 17:5–6). (See also Exodus 4:2–3, 7:20, 8:5 and 16, 9:23, 10:13, 14:16.) What ideas or resources has God provided to help you overcome difficult obstacles?

3. Where was the battle fought: on top of the mountain or down in the valley? Where was intercession being made? “So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill” (Exodus 17:10). Have you ever felt like giving up while “in the valley”?

4. How would the outcome have been different if Moses had given up? “And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed” (Exodus 17:11). How has God used the determination of others (parents, historical figures, teachers, friends, etc.) to encourage you to persevere?

5. As the day and battle wore on, what obstacle did Moses experience? “But Moses’ hands were heavy” (Exodus 17:12a). When was the last time you realized you could not meet a goal in your own strength?

6. How did Aaron and Hur support Moses in accomplishing God’s will? “. . . And they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun” (Exodus 17:12b). What can you do to help your authorities reach the goals God has given them?

7. After the victory, what did Moses name the altar he built? “And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi: For he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation” (Exodus 17:15–16). Where do you need God to show Himself strong as Jehovah Nissi—(the Lord my Banner)—and go before you so that you may accomplish difficult tasks?

Read Exodus 17:8–16 as a family andanswer the following questions:

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Determination is purposing to accomplish God’s goals in God’s time—regardless of the opposition

Aaron and Hur Strengthen Moses’ Hands for Victory“When Moses held up his hand . . . Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. . . . Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands . . . steady until the going down of the sun”

(Exodus 17:11–12).

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Determination Activity

Introduction:Read to the children: “This month we are asking the Lord to develop determination in our lives. What a privilege to respond to the work He is doing to change us into the image of His Son! Today we are going to discuss how to overcome obstacles to the goals God has given us. We can ask Him for creativity, strength, and help as we learn from the experience of others and try new solutions. An obstacle doesn’t mean defeat! Remember: Nothing is impossible with God. When we face difficulties, God wants to show Himself strong in our lives and empower us to reach the goals He has for us. As we rely on God’s strength, He will be able to build determination to do His will in our lives.”

Supplies: Shoe boxes, several slices of bread, peanut butter, a butter knife, socks, a broom, a button-up sweater, crayons, paper, and a plastic cup.

Activity Instructions:Mention some ordinary daily tasks aloud to the children. (See examples below.) Ask the children, “These sound like easy jobs, right?” Assign each child a task to complete. However, tell them to put their dominant hand behind their back while they complete the task. This obstacle will require the children to reconsider how they are going to tackle these normally simple tasks. What will they have to do differently to complete their tasks?

Read to the children: “We have unexpected obstacles and difficult tasks everyday. Perhaps we don’t have the resources or expertise that would make the task easier. For example, is math difficult for you? Are your spelling words a challenge? Do you find it overwhelming to practice music or finish your chores? Are there jobs you dislike doing, such as weeding in the hot sun? Do you give up and quit—or do you ask God and others for help so you can continue on? Determined people overcome obstacles to accomplish goals.”

After a few minutes of attempting to do the tasks alone and one-handed, allow the children to help each other as Aaron and Hur helped Moses.

Task Assignment ideas:

• Carry a stack of shoe boxes

• Make a peanut butter sandwich

• Put on a pair of socks

• Sweep the kitchen

• Put on and button up a sweater

• Sign your name

• Color a picture

• Wash a plastic cup

Overcoming Obstacles

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“Hold the Fort”Hymn History of

Cannons boomed, hurling their weighty projectiles overhead to explode in thudding bursts of fire, noise, and shrapnel among the soldiers in the Battle of Allatoona Pass during the Civil War. From their position on the top of that hill in Georgia, the Union soldiers could see the futility of their defense. They were completely surrounded. Rifles cracked interminably in an ever-shrinking circle around the fort. More and more men were down or dying inside the stone walls. Accustomed to using their rifles to shoot small game for their families’ suppers, the Confederate soldiers were accurate marksmen, and most of the bullets inflicted physical damage. Even the few bullets that missed wreaked emotional havoc as they buzzed through the air like angry wasps past alert ears and disheartened souls.

It was hopeless. The Union soldiers knew that from the onslaught they were facing. That fatal morning of October 5, 1864, the fort at Allatoona Pass had been attacked by a superior force. The fort held an important resource—1.5 million rations for the Union army. The soldiers guarding this resource had been outmaneuvered and outfought. When they had thought themselves in a safe and secure place, the enemy had skillfully struck straight at the heart of their position. Now they were about to be overcome by the greater numbers and fighting zeal of the attacking Confederates.

Then the inevitable came: a summons for them to surrender. The weary Union soldiers looked at their fallen comrades and then at their officers. The desperation and hopelessness of defeat was written on each face. . . .

Just then, something else was sighted! Twenty miles away, a tiny white speck was being waved from another high hill. What was it? What was its message?

All eyes strained to see the message. Even those who were crouched in protective corners, shoulders sagging with despair, looked up. Cautiously, with some peeking over the stone wall and some through peepholes, every man strained his eyes toward the small speck. It was signaling a message:

“Hold the fort. I am coming. Sherman.”

Help was coming! The general was on his way!

With renewed vigor, the defenders of the fort sprang back to their posts on the wall, hope shining from their formerly despairing eyes. They were new men—

because of seven short words.

With the new hope they’d been given, the beleaguered defenders

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Hymn History of “Hold the Fort” page 2

managed to hold off the attackers for three more hours until General Sherman arrived and rescued them.

Six years later, Major D.W. Whittle stood in a Sunday school meeting and told this true story to a rapt audience. His listeners felt the despair of the surrounded and outgunned soldiers, were enthralled with the battle story, and caught their breaths at the signaler’s uplifting message. As he sat in the audience, listening intently, hymn writer Philip P. Bliss was so inspired by the story that he mentally composed a hymn right there. The very next morning, in Chicago, Mr. Bliss spoke in a YMCA meeting and, after writing the chorus on a blackboard, led the attendees in singing the brand-new hymn he’d just written and composed.

“Hold the fort, for I am coming, Jesus signals still. Wave the answer back to heaven, By Thy grace we will.”

With its stirring tune and words, the hymn became instantly popular. It spread around the world and became a great favorite in Moody-Sankey campaigns in the United States and Great Britain. Lord Shaftesbury said in 1874, after a series of meetings in the British Isles, “If Mr. Sankey has done no more than teach the people to sing ‘Hold the Fort,’ he has conferred inestimable blessing on the British Empire.”

Determination is “purposing to accomplish God’s goals in God’s time—regardless of the opposition.” The message of the hymn—that we should not give up, that there is help from on High—should stir a chord within us. Even when things get tough, even when it seems like the only thing to do is give up, we can take heart. Not in ourselves, because there’s no hope to be found there. But we can always hope in God, Who is ready to help us. He knows our desperate state, and He will be there to help us when we cry to Him.

Bibliography:• Osbeck, Kenneth W., 101 Hymn Stories, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, 1982.• Shiver, Emmett W., 104 of My Favorite Hymn Stories, Springmaid Press, Biscoe, NC, 2008.

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